Nut-lock for rail-joints.



W. E. P. DEVANE.

NUT LOGK FOR RAIL JOINTS.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 20, 1913.

Patented May 26, 1914.

Attorne WILLIAM E. P. DEVANE, or ADEL, cnoaera.

NUT-LOCK FOR BAIL-JOINTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1914.

Application filed June 20, 1913. Serial No. 774,922.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. P. DE- VANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Adel, in the county of Berrien and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Nut-Lock for Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains generally to nut locks, and relates more particularly to devices of that character applicable to rail joints, for locking the nuts against accidental loosening.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved device of that character, which shall be comparatively simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction, which may be conveniently and qulclily applied to a rail oint for locking the nuts against retrograde movement, and which shall carry out its functions in a highly eili cient and simple manner.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the present invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and la the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of the rail joint embodying the improved locking device. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the joint, taken through one of the bolts. Fig. 3 is a cross section of the oint, taken through one of the locking tongues or catches. Fig. at is a sectional detail of one of the locking tongues'or catches, taken through the loop or finger hold thereof.

As illustrated, the meeting ends of the rails l1 are connected by the angle iron fish plates 2*2, the usual bolts 3 being passed through the fish plates and webs of the rail, and having the nuts a threaded thereon for clamping the fish plates against the rails. number of bolts may be employed, the present invention being applicable to joints em- It is to be understood that any bodying any number of bolts, with equal propriety or success.

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided a washer plate 5, preferably of sheet metal, which is clamped be tween the nuts 4 and the respective fish plate 2, the elongated washer plate 5 being progicjed with openings for the passage of the Tongues 6 project from the upper edge of the plate 5 and are bent back thereon, the tongues being preferably bent into compound curves with their free ends depending. A tongue 6 is preferably employed for each pair or set of nuts 4, although any number of tongues or catches 6 may be employed, according to the circumstances. The tongues or catches 6 are resilient or flexible in order that their depending free ends may be raised when desired.

Each of the tongues or catches 6 is provided with an integral strap 7 projecting from one edge intermediate its ends, the strap 7 being bent upwardly over the intermediate portion of the tongue and then being bent under the tongue, to provide a loop formlng a finger hold, which will facilitate raising the free end of the tongue or catch.

In conjunction with the washer plate 5 having the catches, there is employed a looking bar 8, which is preferably wedge shaped in cross section. The locking bar 8 is adapted to be inserted under the nuts 4 so as .to wedge between the lower sides of the nuts and the lower flange of the respective fish plate 2, to lock the nuts against rotation. The catches 6 are engageable With the look- .ing bar 8 to maintain the same in position,

the bar 8 being provided with notches 9 in its outer edge, with which the free ends of the catches are engageable, to lock the bar 8 against longitudinal and lateral movements.

In practice, it will be apparent that the washer plate 5 and locking bar 8 are readily applicable to a rail joint, the plate 5 being clamped under the nuts, the bar 8 being inserted underneath the nuts, and the catches 6 being raised to permit the bar 8 to be readily moved, however, by simply raising the catches 6, this being facilitated by the loops or finger holds 7. hen the locking bar 8 is removed, the nuts may be readily loosened or tightened Without interference.

Having thus described the invention, What ne ath the nuts and having a resilient tongue bent back from its upper edge, and a locking bar inserti-ble underneath the nuts to prevent them from turning, the said bar having a notch for the engagement of the free end of the tongue, the said tongue having a strap extending from one edge intermediate its ends, and the strap being bent around the tongue to provide a looped finger hold.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WVILLIAM E. P. DEVANE.

\Vitnesses M. lV. HUTCHINSON, lV. J. MCCRANIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

